EasyPay doesn’t mean LessPay

September 26, 2008 No Comments

Recently, plans to install “EasyPay” machines near the baggage claim areas of Tucson’s airport were confirmed.  The hope with installing these machines is that exits from the airport’s parking lots will be more efficient by allowing patrons to pay for their parking by credit or debit card before they even get to their car.  While this will make exiting the lot more efficient, it might bring about an increase in the cost to park at one of the airport’s lots.

As always, ParkSleepFly is devoted to bringing you the best rates and service.  If you don’t want to suffer an increase in parking rates, you may want to consider booking your parking ahead of time with ParkSleepFly, especially since you can book a night at an airport hotel at the same time for a competitive rate.  By parking off-site and making use of the complimentary shuttles, you can do your part to help parking lot efficiency…without having to pay extra.  In fact, when you book a hotel room at an airport hotel using PSF, your rate includes seven to fourteen days of free parking.  Furthermore, the hotel room frequently costs less than if you were to book it elsewhere, and less than paying to park in the airport’s parking lots.

So what should you expect from the airport hotels surrounding the airport?  A variety of choices await you.  With more than thirty airport hotels, holding industry rankings from one to four stars, you can choose the right match for your budget and your needs.  The majority of ranked hotels are three stars, which typically means a comfortable bed in a clean room plus some amenities.  While it’s not likely you’ll find a man wearing a tuxedo and playing a grand piano in a room lit by sparkling chandeliers, you can usually count on room service, free wi-fi and sometimes even a pool.  You can definitely rely on a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to your terminal and, at the end of your trip, back to the hotel to retrieve your vehicle.

Orlando in October

September 24, 2008 No Comments

Unfortunately for Orlando, Florida, there has been a decrease in travel.However, for the traveler who has always wanted to visit Orlando, or for the traveler flying out of Orlando, now is a good time to book airport hotels.Perhaps you have family or friends who live in or near Orlando, Florida.Even if your flight arrives late at night, you can have a place to sleep without asking your friend or family member to drive to the airport at that late hour when you book a room at one of the many Orlando airport hotels on ParkSleepFly.Your friend or family member can pick you up the next morning, and they can pick you up from the hotel instead of the airport, saving the need to pass through parking security and potential morning traffic near the terminals.

If you’re flying out of Orlando, now is the time to book your trip.Rates are projected to remain low until the elections, meaning that the month of October is a good month for travel.For less than $130, you can get a room for two people and up to fourteen days of parking.If you need to park longer than fourteen days, each additional day is as low as five dollars.You won’t find a lower airport parking rate than five dollars a day after two weeks of free parking with one night at a hotel.This rate was quoted for a trip beginning October 1, at the AmeriSuites Orlando Airport Northwest hotel, which carries a three star industry rating and a four star customer rating, based on over ninety surveys completed by customers of ParkSleepFly after their trip.

What can you expect to pay if you book elsewhere?Your rate for one night at the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Orlando would be almost $180.The Courtyard Marriott carries an industry rating of three stars, just like the AmeriSuites Orlando Airport Northwest hotel, but you can expect to pay an extra $50, and it doesn’t come with parking.The least expensive parking rates if you park in one of the airport lots is $10 per day, or $140 for the two weeks.Add that onto the $180 and you can expect to pay $320 for a one night stay in a three star hotel and two weeks of airport parking.Remember that parking at the airport will cost at least twice as much per extra day as parking at the hotel you can reserve with ParkSleepFly.

Furthermore, you can’t reserve your airport parking with Orlando Airport; airport parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, which means you might not even find a parking space in the $10 a day lot, in which case you could expect your airport parking to cost $17 dollars per day, or over $230 for two weeks, just to park.

Check or Carry-On?

September 15, 2008 No Comments

With many airlines now charging to check bags, in reaction to recent high fuel costs, many travelers are packing lighter, and with fewer bags so that they can carry-on more, and check less.  Following you’ll find some tips and information that may help you decide whether to check or carry-on before you travel.

Chances are, if you’re traveling for a longer period of time you’ll need to check bags anyway.  Carry-on bags are usually limited to two per person, so if you’re traveling with a lot of clothes, shoes and other items, you might have difficulty fitting all of your belongings into so few pieces of luggage.  But for those traveling four to seven days, or less, here are some ways you can minimize the number of bags you have to check.

Roll your clothes.  This actually does two things for you, allows you to fit more and prevents wrinkling (excluding some fabrics, such as linen, which will wrinkle anyway).  This is especially useful during summer vacation trips, as summer clothes are less bulky than winter clothes.  A rolled tee-shirt takes up very little space.

Combine bags.  Instead of taking one carry-on and a purse, or briefcase, try to put your purse or briefcase into a carry-on bag.  Chances are you will be able to fit a few more things into that bag.  Just make sure you pack neatly so that you don’t experience long waits in security.  Messily packed bags are often searched as the x-ray machine images are not clear.

Plan ahead.  Do you really need that third pair of shoes?  Remember, you’ll be wearing a pair while you travel, and maybe you’ll need one more pair, tops.  Need a hair dryer?  Most hotels offer hair dryers and irons, so leave those items home.  Sure, the hotel hair dryer may not be as advanced as yours, but weigh that against the cost of checking a bag.  Is bringing your hairdryer with you for three days worth $25 or even $50 extra?

Before you pack, make certain you check the regulations of carry-on bag size.  Airlines can change their regulations, and might if everyone starts bringing the maximum allowable sized-bags to carry-on.  Just like booking hotels and parking on ParkSleepFly, a little advanced planning can go a long way.

The Convenience of Travel

September 5, 2008 No Comments

So many times, travelers associate the idea of travel with hassle and inconveniences that they’d rather do without.  Traffic to get to the airport, difficulty parking, getting through luggage check and security, waiting for a flight that might be delayed…Following you’ll find a few tips that will make your trip more convenient and pleasant.

Pack according to security guidelines.  Your best chance of getting through security quickly is to follow the guidelines set in place for your protection, even though it may sometimes feel as though your personal property is being invaded.  Pack all liquids in clear bottles, in clear cases, and arrange your luggage contents logically.  The X-Ray machines are only as quick as those interpreting the screen, in other words, if you throw all of your belongings in hodge podge, you’re more likely to be asked to wait while your luggage is searched by hand.  Wear comfortable shoes that you can easily slip in and out of.  This choice serves a dual purpose: you’ll get through security with more ease and speed, and you’ll be more comfortable on your flight, without tight shoes on.

Bring a book or magazine, or your video iPod to the airport.  Chances are that even if your plane is on time, you’ll have some waiting to do.  Instead of sitting there, bored, plan ahead and bring something to occupy your time.  Bring something interesting…if it’s not interesting to you, it won’t satisfactorily pass the time.  Books are excellent for the flight as well; as of yet, there’s not a restriction in place on having a paperback comedy in your carry-on.

Travel to the airport can be the most stressful of all travel stressors, but with some more planning ahead (a common theme in travel convenience), you can book your parking, and even a hotel room on ParkSleepFly.com, granting you reserved access to convenience; you can entirely avoid rush hour type traffic on your way to or from the airport.  You can arrive at your terminal refreshed and calm, even if you are flying to an important business meeting that will decide the next ten years of your career.

Give yourself a bit of relaxation, and travel can go from stress to bliss.